MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP MAKE STEPS ON FINAL 2023 TESTING DAY

Portimao (Portugal), 12th March 2023

PORTIMAO MOTOGP OFFICIAL TEST

Today Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli concluded the final day of 2023 pre-season testing. The teammates got in as many laps as possible at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and wrapped up the Portimão MotoGP Official Test in 3rd and 19th place respectively in both the Day-2 and combined timesheets.

3rd FABIO QUARTARARO 1‘38.302 / 88 LAPS

19th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1‘39.066 / 89 LAPS

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli used the second day of testing in Portimão, Portugal, to conclude their 2023 testing plans. Today the duo made the most of the perfect riding conditions again and booked progress, taking 3rd and 19th place respectively in today‘s standings and the Portimão MotoGP Official Test combined rankings.

Quartararo was quick to find a good rhythm on Day 2, and by 10:30 local time he had set a 1‘39.292s, more than 0.3s quicker than his fastest lap on Day 1. At the time it put him in third place provisionally. He then continued assessing aero-packages and trying settings in preparation for the first race weekend, held at the same circuit in two weeks‘ time. Once satisfied, he gave another push in the afternoon. Setting a 1‘38.302s on lap 61/88, he initially took second place but ultimately ended the day in third place in the Day-2 and combined results, 0.334s from first.

After putting in 95 laps on Day 1, Morbidelli again showed his motivation on Day 2 by completing another 89 laps, more than any other rider. He stayed fully focused during an intensive session, aiming to further improve his feeling with the bike and better his pace, and successfully shaved over 1.3s off his Day-1 time. His 1‘39.066s, posted on lap 79/89, saw him finish 19th in the Day-2 and combined timesheets, with a 1.098s margin to first.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

Today we wrapped up pre-season testing. Because Yamaha had prepared many items this winter, we knew we had a lot on our plate for this final 2023 pre-season test. We only had two days, so we prioritised accordingly. Fabio and Franky both evaluated aero-package options and tried settings we felt are promising for the first GP weekend, held here two week’s from now. Fabio made a big step today, so that’s positive. Franky also tried many things during this test and gathered a lot of data that should be helpful for Round 1. We got a lot of work done, but there’s still more to do. We will now carefully go over the data we collected here, and subsequently draft a strategy on how we will tackle the first GP of the 2023 season. I’m sure the fans are as impatient to get the racing started as we are. We will put in our full effort to be ready to go.

 

FABIO QUARTARARO

Today we made a big improvement, especially with new tyres. We‘ve tried all aero-packages Yamaha brought here and also some settings from the past that were working well. I‘m pretty happy. We are still missing a few things, but we made a massive step from yesterday and from Sepang. We are much closer to be ready for GP1 than we were yesterday, although we are not 100% ready yet. We will be giving our best, for sure. We are not giving up.

 

FRANCO MORBIDELLI

These were busy days of testing. We tried many things, did a lot of stuff, and did a lot of testing – that‘s what testing is for, so I‘m happy about that. It will be important to analyse well the data we‘ve gathered and make the right choices for the race weekend.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by RNF MotoGP Team:

Oliveira and Fernandez complete successful test in Portugal

The RNF MotoGP Team has concluded its pre-season testing today at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with a positive outlook for the upcoming 21 rounds of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.

Sunshine and decent temperatures have been accompanying the second and final day of testing ahead of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season today at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Like on Saturday, both RNF MotoGP Team riders, Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez were able to make use of the full track time from the morning until sunset.

With more and more laps aboard his Aprilia RS-GP under his belt and being at ease with the home track, Oliveira improved on his fastest lap from Saturday quite quick today. The Portuguese local hero did a total of 147 laps in the course of the two days of testing. On Sunday he went 1.024 seconds faster than on day one and ended the official test in P11, just 0.616 seconds off the fastest.

Meanwhile, Fernandez is making significant steps. Following the fifth fastest time of the entire MotoGP field on Saturday, he ended the test in 16th position, 0.270 seconds behind his teammate and did his personal fastest ever lap in Portimao. The young Spaniard did 127 laps on Saturday and Sunday and feels ready and eager to start the new season with high motivation.

Less than two weeks from now, the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season will kick off with the first of 21 rounds at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal, where both Oliveira and Fernandez are aiming high. The RNF MotoGP Team is set to showcase their official 2023 colors to the world in a unique virtual launch on Monday, the 20th of March.

MIGUEL OLIVEIRA

“After today, we are in a good place to start the first Grand Prix. Though we would like to be a bit more in front in the standings, our pace was quite strong and we have been there during the whole day which is good. Unfortunately, in the afternoon today during the time attack, I had a small crash, I was pushing and there was nothing I could do. We have some work to do, I just need to start the race weekend to see where we are.”

RAUL FERNANDEZ

“I’m really happy about our test, especially about today. We had a great day and have been working alone on the pace. The speed is very good. In the last moment, when I tried to do the time attack, I had a small crash. For that I want to apologize to my team. But anyway, also thanks to them, we did a really good job. I’m very happy, we have an amazing bike and I think 2023 is going to be a very nice season for us. Aprilia worked really well last year, they created a fantastic bike and I’m very satisfied overall.”

Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal RNF MotoGP Team

“It was a positive final day of the second winter test for both of our riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez. They showed great speed and pace between the day. Unfortunately, when they were about to start the time attack, both riders had a crash and had to abandon their plans for the time attack. Though, it’s not the best way to end the test but more importantly the riders are okay and all the targets we wanted to achieve for this weekend was fulfilled and completed. We save the energy this weekend and aim to go faster during the actual race weekend in two weeks. Being the third time for both riders on the RS-GP, I’m happy that they showed a lot of potential, speed and pace and I’m confident that their performance will be there when it matters most which is during the race weekend.”

Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager RNF MotoGP Team

“The last day of testing is done. It was a very important last test, both, riders felt much more connected to their bikes than we had it during the first two tests. Of course, now they got more kilometers in on their bikes, but we also found better settings for them and they felt more confident electronic-wise and with their base setups. We actually feel ready to start the season. Our target here was to try to do 1:38, but actually half of the grid did it, so it was a little bit disappointing, but at least we also made it. So, let’s see what we can do next week when the sessions are shorter and track time is reduced, which is the main difference to the tests. Overall, we are very happy. We are competitive and ready to start racing!”

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing Team:

MARINI AND BEZZECCHI ENDED THE PRESEASON AMONG THE FASTEST GUYS AT PORTIMAO

The riders of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team are constantly in the top positions in P4 and P5 in the combined of the two-days

Portimao (Portugal), March 12th 2023 – Last act of the 2023 pre-season and another proof of solidity for the Mooney VR46 Racing Team at the Portimao test on the Ducati Desmosedici GP. Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi, already very fast yesterday, close the two days of work in Portugal in fourth and fifth place in the combined standings, ready to face the first race weekend, in less than two weeks, on the Algarve circuit.

Second yesterday and always among the most consistent, Luca, forced into the garage for a part of today’s session due to technical problems (64 laps), improves up to 1’38.310, a time that means a gap of three tenths from Bagnaia (1’37.968).

Step forward also for Marco (86 laps), P7 on Day1, capable of signing an excellent 1’38.351 and climbing the standings up to the  fifth place.

LUCA MARINI – 10

Overall I’m satisfied with the pre-season: there’s a good atmosphere within the Team and we’ve worked hard. I had fun, I feel good and I enjoyed every lap on the bike. Today was probably the hardest day, I had some bad luck and too many technical problems. In the final I gave my all, went out for the last 20 minutes and set my best lap time. I feel good, I can fight for the Top6 in qualifying and in the sprint with the soft. For the race, I think I’ll opt for the medium rear, the performances aren’t very different, but in terms of long distance it’s more performing.

MARCO BEZZECCHI – 72

A good test, I’m happy even if the afternoon wasn’t easy at all. Putting everything together was more complicated than we expected. We made a step back and then it started to feel good. I’m not at 100% yet, but we did a great job and the sprint race simulation isn’t bad either. I can improve by 2/3 tenths on the single lap and keep the pace of the fastest.

PABLO NIETO, TEAM MANAGER

We have to be satisfied, not so much with this test, but with the whole pre-season. In Malaysia we worked well and here we continued in the same direction. We are ready to face the race in the best possible way. Ducati and the whole Team have done a lot and we are a very solid team with two very fast riders. We just have to discover the new format of the weekend, the last real unknown factor.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3:

2023 PRE-SEASON COMPLETED FOR GASGAS FACTORY RACING TECH3: TIME TO GET ON THE GAS!

Testing work resumed on Sunday morning at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve for the second and last day of the Official Portimao MotoGP™ Test, closing officially the 2023 pre-season for the class. Spaniards Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez closed the test in 18th and 21st after two hard-working days on their red GASGAS RC16.

The day was again set ideally for riders to complete their testing programmes on a dry track, with the sun shining nicely and no clouds to be seen. Pol Espargaro was the first to go on track this morning at around 10:00 am local time (GMT+0). After a rather difficult Saturday and an evening spent finding solutions to yesterday’s issues, the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 seemed to find himself more comfortable on the bike today. He eventually managed to go under the bar of the 1’40 with a fast lap in 1’39.526 on lap 18 thanks to a change of bike’s setting.  In the afternoon, he focused on different areas, including getting the fast laps in. Lap after lap, he progressed through the lap times until reaching 1’38.974 within the final laps of the day. He closes the day eighteenth in the standings, 1.006 seconds from the fastest of day 2.

His teammate and rookie Augusto Fernandez continued his progression on the Portuguese layout with the main goal to develop the learnings from Saturday and prepare for his first ever MotoGP™ race at the opening round of the 2023 season in two weeks. With just seven laps in this morning, he had already improved from his best lap of Saturday by 0.435 seconds. Seven laps later, the Spaniard went under the 1’40 bar, in 1’39.907, a very encouraging step for the rookie. In a similar way to his teammate, he also dedicated his day to fast laps and race preparation, integrating a race simulation at the end of the morning. The outcome was positive, highlighted by Augusto’s fastest lap set with his final lap. In the afternoon, he worked on time-attacks and eventually gained a few hundredths of seconds to set his fastest lap of the weekend in 1’39.667. After sixty-four laps, he sits in twenty-first in the standings, 0.693 seconds away from his teammate.

There is no more testing now, it is finally time to go racing! GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 riders Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez will be back in two weeks in Portimao for the opening round of the 2023 season! We’ll see you on March 24-26!

 

 

Pol Espargaro

Position: 18th

Time: 1’38.974

Laps: 79

“Today was much better than yesterday so it feels good. We are just one second away from today’s fastest man, which is not bad on this track. Of course, we would like to be higher in the standings, but we tried many things these two days. We worked on the race pace quite a lot and there are some positive things, but we are missing something, especially on this track on which our grip is not the best in the rear. We had a very productive day today, so I am happy. Let’s go racing!”

Augusto Fernandez

Position: 21st

Time: 1’39.667

Laps: 64

“We had a good morning and made good progress with the bike. We did a race simulation and I am happy because I had a good race pace and felt good physically. I was able to understand more things about the bike, such as tyre management and how to ride it in race conditions. In Moto2, I was always very good towards the last part of the races, so it is good that I am also able to replicate this to the MotoGP class. In the afternoon, we worked on a time-attack and I think that we still have a lot of work to do to understand how to get the maximum of new soft tyres.”

Nicolas Goyon

Team Manager

“We just finished the pre-season with the final test in Portimao before we all finally start the championship here in two weeks. I would like to thank both our riders Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez for their hard work over the past two days. All together, they did around 150 laps each, which is a lot of time on the track that allowed us to gather important data and information for the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 engineers.

Pol focused on trying to finalize a setup that suits him for the race in two weeks, but it has not been easy for him. He tried many options and it looks like towards the end of the day some positive came out of it as he registered his fastest lap of the weekend.

Our rookie Augusto worked hard and the day was highlighted by a race simulation with a total of twenty-two laps and twenty fast laps. What is very interesting is that he set his fastest lap at the very last lap of his simulation. It is promising because it shows that he has understood how to manage both his physical condition and his tyres.

Overall, we are satisfied with the work we did here in Portimao with both our riders. It was also the first time that our red GASGAS RC16 went on track and we were all really proud of our 2023 livery. We have two weeks to analyse the data, but we feel ready to race! Thank you to the whole team for their hard work, and we will be back in two weeks for the season opener !”

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:

0.016s between Repsol Honda Team duo after five days of MotoGP testing

Sunday in Portimao saw both Repsol Honda Team riders focus on time attacks, Sprint race runs and refinements as Joan Mir ends the test in 13th with Marc Marquez just behind in 14th.

Perfect conditions saw out the MotoGP pre-season as the Repsol Honda Team completed their testing programme with the rest of the championship in Portimao. Two busy days saw a number of items tested and 289 laps completed between Joan Mir and Marc Marquez.

Joan Mir’s adaption to the Honda RC213V continued and Sunday in Portugal saw him make strong forward progress especially on his one lap pace. A best time of 1’38.762 meant the 2020 MotoGP World Champion ended the test as the 13th fastest rider and top Honda machine. Able to do a time attack, Mir was able to further understand where he and the Honda need to continue improving. As with the previous day, Mir’s race pace was more promising across his 61 laps.

On the other side of the Repsol Honda Team garage, Marc Marquez continued to diligently work as his attention shifted from fully focused on development to beginning to prepare for the coming race weekend in Portugal. The eight-time World Champion completed his first simulation of a new Sprint Race with his longest run of the test. A fall at Turn 1 midway through the final day did little to upset Marquez’s overall testing plan.

The MotoGP World Championship now begins their final preparations before the Grande Premio de Portugal, March 24 – 26, and the start of the longest MotoGP season in history with 21 Grands Prix.

 

Joan Mir

13TH  1’38.762

“Today we were able to make some more progress forward in adapting to the Honda. There is still a lot I need to learn and adapt to because it’s still a new bike and some aspects that are not yet second nature. Overall it has been an off-season of progress but of course as a rider you are always wanting more and more. We head into the opening races wanting to keep improving and to see what’s possible.”

 

Marc Marquez

14TH  1’38.778

“We had the best feeling of our pre-season today, I was riding well and I was able to do a Sprint Race simulation. Riding for a longer run I was able to focus more on my riding style and keep making improvements there. Our rhythm wasn’t bad and today we worked more towards what will come at the Portugal GP. We were able to make a few steps, of course you want more. The most important thing was that today I had the best feeling with the bike so far.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:

LCR Honda CASTROL rider Alex Rins completes the last preseason test at Portimao

The last test before the start of the season has finished at the Autodromo do Algarve for Alex Rins and the LCR Honda CASTROL.

Despite the final position on the standings (15th), there are some positive elements to point out, as Alex admits feeling more comfortable riding the bike and happier with how he can handle it.

Rins and the crew have been testing several items brought by HRC, and overall, they are pleased with the steps made. There’s still considerable room for improvement, but the path is more precise after the test at Portimao.

Preseason is officially done; the next stop will be the opening round of the 2023 season at the same place, the circuit of Portimao.

 

 

Alex Rins 15th

(1’38.782)

“I’m pleased after the preseason we’ve done. Since Sepang, we’ve taken a step forward, and counting on new parts in Portimao has helped me understand our current situation. I’ve been focusing on testing them to provide useful information to HRC. The main thing is that we’ve improved, and that’s crucial. I want to thank the whole team because they’ve done a great job”.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:

LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider Takaaki Nakagami finishes the last test at Portimao

The last test before the start of the season has finished at the Autodromo do Algarve for Takaaki Nakagami and the LCR Honda IDEMITSU. Despite the final position on the standings (20th), there are some positive elements to point out, as Nakagami has noticed a significant improvement during the second and last day of tests.

Since the beginning, Takaaki has struggled to find the feeling on the bike and admits he still needs to be more comfortable riding it. However, after testing some evolution parts brought by HRC, especially on the second day, he believes there is potential and room for improvement in some areas that would help both rider and crew to make a further step forward.

Preseason is officially done; the next stop will be the opening round of the 2023 season at the same place, the circuit of Portimao.

 

 

Takaaki Nakagami 20th

(1’39.309)

“The three days in Sepang and the two days here haven’t been easy, but today, in terms of lap times, everything is very tight, the gap has reduced, and we’ve taken a step. The feedback with the bike is better, but both the bike and I need to improve. We could take another step forward during the race weekend, so let’s keep working. The team has done a good job as always”.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:

2023 MOTOGP™ PREP ALMOST COMPLETE WITH SECOND AND FINAL PRE-SEASON TEST LOGGED IN PORTUGAL

2023 Motorsport news

Two days of intense testing work brought the 2023 MotoGP pre-season to a conclusion for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing at the Algarve International Circuit. Brad Binder and Jack Miller sifted through solutions for the settings of their KTM RC16s both for the long Grand Prix year ahead and for the first round of the series at the same circuit in a fortnight’s time. Binder ended the weekend 9th fastest while Miller was 17th but both less than one second from times that shattered the Portimao lap-record.

MotoGP teams left the heat of Malaysia last month to reassemble and bask in the sunshine of the Algarve for the second and last appointment in preparation for 2023. The two-day session allowed the Red Bull KTM works squad to drill through solutions and options to be ready for the 21-race championship (and brand new Sprint format) as well as look towards optimum settings for the Grande Premio de Portugal at the same fast and technical circuit at the end of March.

Brad Binder and Jack Miller were given a second opportunity to give their feedback on the potential of the RC16s around the 15 corner and 4.5 km layout in southern Portugal. The climate was steady and ideal for testing duties, even if the undulations of the track and diversity of the curves means it is a unique setting for bike behaviour and competitiveness.

Binder sat in P6 at one stage and ended the second day with the 9th fastest circulation just half a second from P1 and close to the lap record. The South African was reaching for rear grip but noted an improvement on Sunday. Miller, who is still trying to unlock the full possibilities of the race bike in what was just his third outing, was continually making gains. The Australian was just nine tenths of a second from the peak of the overall classification.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing now have a few precious days back at the race workshop in Munderfing to condense the rest of the data accumulated in Portugal before the whole effort returns to the Algarve for the first real race action of ’23 on March 25-26.

 

Brad Binder: “We made a good step forward today. We had to re-think things last night because I wasn’t that happy with what we were doing: the team did a great job to make me more comfortable on the bike and I could push a bit harder. We are closer to where we need to be. The time attack went better than I expected. There is definitely a step we can still make before the race but I think we are more or less ready to go into the season.”

 

Jack Miller: “We’re getting there. We cut almost another second today and got closer to the top rider who was six tenths under the lap-record! I’m just trying to understand the bike and try different things to get comfortable. We are improving every day and it is taking some time but we’re getting to a decent spot before the first race. Our [engine] maps need a little polishing but I think we can be quietly confident.”

Francesco Guidotti, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “This test was the first time we tried the 2023 spec of the bike and we had some unexpected issues but also some progress. We perhaps don’t have enough time now to fix everything but we hope to give the riders a better package asap. Jack is gaining confidence and speed run-by-run and Brad was a bit surprised by this test but turned it around today. We know where we need to improve and thanks to the whole team for another big effort. Let’s get the season underway now.”

Sebastian Risse, Red Bull KTM Technical Manager MotoGP: “I would say we had a difficult start to the test and had to work through a lot on the first day. The main topic for some riders was rear grip, and looking at the lap-times overall, it was clear that the track today was in better shape and this helped us but we also improved our cause. We made a step and now we just have to see how much we can transfer this on the race weekend. I think we can be happy with the evolution we made these two days and we have the baseline. Now that we have had this test everybody should be up to pace right away at the GP and I think there is still some room to work there.”

Algarve International Circuit Official Test final combined times

1. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) Ducati 1:37.968

2. Johann Zarco (FRA) Ducati +0.296

3. Fabio Quartararo (FRA) Yamaha +0.334

4. Luca Marini (ITA) Ducati ) +0.342

5. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA) Ducati +0.383

9. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.512

17. Jack Miller (AUS) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.941

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Lenovo Ducati Team:

Francesco Bagnaia tops the timesheets in the final pre-season test at Portimao. Sixth quickest time for Enea Bastianini

Seven Desmosedici GPs in the first eight places of the standings at the end of two days of testing in Portugal

Francesco Bagnaia dominated the latest pre-season test, which concluded this afternoon at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão (Portugal). The Ducati Lenovo Team rider, who was already the fastest at the end of the first day yesterday, could set a formidable lap time of 1:37.968 this afternoon, confirming himself at the top and improving the current circuit record by 757 thousandths. At the Portimão track, which will host the opening round of the 2023 MotoGP season in less than two weeks, Bagnaia got positive feedback from his Desmosedici GP 2023 and declared himself satisfied with the work completed with his team.

Despite being hindered by technical issues and a crash on the first day, the last test was also positive for Enea Bastianini. The rider from Rimini finished in sixth position, with a time of 1:38.373, 405 thousandths behind his teammate, as he completed a total of 118 laps over the two days.

There are seven Ducatis in the top eight positions. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) finished in second place behind Bagnaia, while Luca Marini (VR46 Racing Team) finished fourth ahead of teammate Marco Bezzecchi. Behind Bastianini finished Alex Márquez (Gresini Racing) in seventh and Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing) in eighth.

 

 

Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st (1:37.968 -139 laps) 

“I’m thrilled with how the five days of pre-season testing went, including the three days in Malaysia last month. We improved in every session and completed our work programme. I like the new bike and prefer it to last year’s, but now we must keep our feet on the ground and keep working with our heads down to be fast on every track. The other manufacturers have also taken important steps forward, so we must stay focused. We can say ‘mission accomplished’: we are ready to face the new season.”

 

 

Enea Bastianini (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 6th (1:38.373 – 118 laps)

“These two days have been positive even though we were really unlucky yesterday. Today we started with a different mentality, which allowed us to take big steps forward straight away, and in general, we worked really well. We didn’t do any particular tests, but we focused mainly on the set-up of the bike and my riding style ahead of the first race, which will be held here in less than two weeks. I think we are still missing something to be able to fight for the win, but we are not far away. Today I also did my first sprint race simulation, and I think tyre life won’t be a problem, but we still haven’t chosen which one to use for Sunday’s race. In any case, I am happy and ready to get back on track for the first Grand Prix of the year”.

Everything is ready for the first round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, which will be held at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão from 24th-26th March.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

MOTOGP TESTS IN PORTIMÃO

APRILIA HONES ITS WEAPONS AHEAD OF THE SEASON OPENER

LOTS OF WORK AND LOTS OF NEWS FOR THE ITALIAN TEAM. MAVERICK FAST AND INCISIVE, ALEIX AGGRESSIVE DESPITE A FATIGUED RIGHT ARM

The testing time, although brief, has come to an end and for Aprilia the conclusions can only be positive. Aleix and Maverick, but also the team RNF riders, Oliveira and Fernandez, demonstrated a good level of competitiveness ahead of the official race début.

The Italian team brought an abundant series of innovations to the track, from the highly visible aerodynamic appendages to the less evident (but just as substantial) evolutions of every aspect of the 2023 RS-GP. The analysis of the data and the comments collected throughout these two days will provide the Aprilia techs with the information needed to define the base technical configuration for both riders.

At the end of the two days, Maverick had ridden a total of 170 laps, the best at a time of 1’38.678, whereas Aleix did 112 laps with his best stopping the clock at 1’38.569.

 

 

Aleix Espargaró

“We can consider ourselves ready for the first race of the season. Once again today, despite some problems with my right arm, I was able to be fast, limiting my activity to shorter runs. Overall, we worked well during these two days. The package we have available is still not perfect, but it is a good starting point. Tomorrow morning I’ll go to the Dexeus Clinic in Barcelona straight away for a series of tests and, if necessary, I’ll undergo surgery immediately so I can fully recover before the race here in Portimão.”

 

 

Maverick Viñales

“Two positive days, I’d say just like all of our preparation for the championship season. I felt really good yesterday, also in terms of lap times, whereas today our work was slightly different. I never used the best combination of tyre compounds, turning a lot of laps in less than perfect grip conditions, and I was able to learn a lot that way. I’d like to always lap at the top, but I’m confident that this type of work will provide us with advantages during a weekend. I can’t wait to really get down to business so we can see our level and begin to battle.”